Fastener



R. w. LUCE Dec. 31, 1946.

FAS TENER Filed March 25, 1942 mun l .Q r j 27 INVENToR. /5' .my @CHA/20 1MM/CE A.

fw ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 31,` 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l. FASTENER l Richard W. L uce, Southport, Conn.'

Application March 25, 1942, Serial N0. 436,117

23 Claims. (C1. ,g4- 221) The invention herein disclosed relates to a fastener of the kind that is commonly termed a cowl fastener. f

Fasteners of the kind mentioned are generally designed and constructed such that the engaging parts thereof may be readily and easily released and reengaged. Such fasteners are utilized to secure cowls or covers whichV when removed access may be had to mechanism covered thereby. For this purpose, such fasteners are used extensively in airplane construction and vfrequently consists of two interengaging parts, one of which is rigidly secured to one of the elements or -members to be secured together and the other of which isprovided with a head for engaging the other member.

In a fastener of this kind, it is desirable that a cushion be provided against repeated shock loading to which a rigid fastener is repeatedly subjected in use. And in additionthe parts must be locked in fastening position to prevent relative movement and consequent loosening and separation under the forces resulting from vibration and shock. As such fasteners have been constructed, heretofore. and prior to the invention herein disclosed, they include a ,single resilient .element that is arranged such that iteifects the locking of the elements in fastening position and also carry the load. In some instances, the re'- silient element forms one of the interengaging elements of the fastener and it is directly and .rigidly secured to one of the members to be fastened together. In other instances, the 'resilient element is arranged to act between the'two elements of the fastener, one of which is4 rigidly secured to one ofjthe members to be secured together. The resilient element in this latter construction serves to maintain the two elements of the fastener in locked interengaging relation further objectof Vthe Vinvention is to provide a l fastener of this kind that is so constructed as to have the property known as float`, that is such .that the secured element is shiftable to .takecare of sllght. misalinement in the fastener openings in the members to be fastened together.

These objects and certain advantages that will hereinafter appear are realized in the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described'in detail below. rlhe drawing includes:

Fig. 1 which is a plan of a cowl fastener constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig..2 which is a transverse section of the same taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig- 3 which is a plan of the same partly in section; e

Fig. 4 which is a section taken on the line 4-4 ofFig. l; and

Fig. 5` which is an end elevation of resilient washer forming a part of the construction.

The cowl fastener illustrated in Figs. l to 4 includes a fastener element and a device for retaining the fastener element. The latter comprises a base la having oppositely extending wings l with openings therethrough, through which openings 2a rivets 2b extend to secure the base to a plate 2 which constitutes one of the members to be secured together. The plate 2 generally constitutes a rigid part of the structure and'to this plate a cowl or other cover represented by a plate 3 is secured by several fasteners of the kind herein disclosed. The base has a central substantially circular section 4 from which the wings l extend. Centrally of the sectien d, the base is provided with an opening 5 which, when the base is secured to the plate 2, is axially alined with an opening 6 in the plate 2. These openings are provided to receive the fastener' 'l which extends through an opening 8 in the plate 3 and the openings 5 and E. It is to be noted that the ropenings 5 and are substantially larger than the opening through the plate 3 which may be countersunk as indicated.

On. opposite parts of the'circular sectionV Il, there are provided arcuate edge flanges 9 and lll extending perpendcularly from the base. Each of these flanges extend along an arc of approximately ninety degrees. From the flange 19, two tongues or tabs ll and l2 extend. Like tabs er extensions I3' and i4 extend from the flange ill'. These tabs when bent inwardly, parallel to the base, serve to hold a fastener retaining member secured to the base.

The retainer member is constructed from a single piece 'of metal and includes a substantially circular section l5 that is received between the flanges 3 and it and over which the tabs extend.

.VThe-diameter ofthe circular section l5 is less than the insidediarneter of the flanges 9 and Il) sothat the section l5. has limited movement with respect to the base in all lateral directions. Centrally of the circular section I5, there is formed on the section I5 a boss I6, pierced centrally thereof to provide an opening for the fastener and arranged to provide two oppositely inclined, inwardly extending surfaces I1 and I8 which in effect form partial convolutions of a helix in oppositely directed planes inclined to the surface of the base. Intermediate the ends of these surfaces, which constitute rigid cam surfaces, the base of the boss I6 is slotted as at I9 and 20. The end edge of each inclined surface, the end edge distant from the plane of the circular section I5, is provided with an extension, extensions 2l and 22, which extends substantially perpendicular to the surface and constitutes a stop.

At diametrically opposite points, the section I 5 is provided with extensions 23 and 24 whichextend between the fianges 9 and I0 and are reversely bent to form resilient spring sections axially spaced from but in cooperating relation with respect to the inclined surfaces I1 and I8. The end edges of the resilient elements 23 and 24 are .shaped as indicated in Fig. 1 to provide an opening for the end of the fastener element 1, Intermediate the side edges of the element 23 a, detent 25 is :formed therein which extends in the direction of the inclined surface I1 and to the end edge of the element 23. A similar detent 26 is formed in the resilient element 24.

Interposed between the retainer member, the sectionv I5 thereof, and the base, the circular seotion 4 thereof, there is a resilient washer 21. Preferably, this washer 21 is, as illustrated in Fig. 5, sinusoidal in form to permit the retainer member to move, a limited amount, towards the base, and to provide a resilient force normally separating and tending, under load, to separate these members axially of the openings therethrough.

The device above described is adapted to be used with the fastener 1 to secure two members together, The fastener 1 primarily consists of a rod headed at one end to provide a head 28. The head 28 is slotted diametrically, preferably with a concave slot 2S which will receive the edge of f a coin. Adjacent the opposite or unheaded end of the rod, a pin 33 extends through the rod diametrically thereof. Preferably, the rod is first inserted through the opening 8 in the plate 3 and then the pin is driven through an opening provided therefor in the rod. The fastener element is thus retained by the plate 3 when the plate is removed.

In securing the two plates together, the fastener 1 is entered through the plate 2, the base, the washer 21 and the retainer member. To extend through the floating member, the pin must be alined with the slots I9 and 20. In this position, with the plates in contact, the rod extends through such that the pin is in position, shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, and in a plane to engage,

upon rotation, the inclined surfaces I1 and I8. The fastener 1 is then rotated counterclockwise, as seen in Fig; 2, and the pin 30 rides up the inclined surfaces, drawing up the fastener, and drawing the plates 2 and 3 together, The detents 25 and 26 of the spring elements 23 and 24 are spaced, axially from the inclined surfaces,

a distance less than the diameter of the pin 3Q;

firmly secured together. In this position, the pin 'ness vary slightly in thickness.

is between the stops and the detents 25 and 26 (see Fig. 1) The spring elements with the detents so engaging the pin secure the fastener 1 against accidental movement under the iniiuence of forces resulting from vibration and shock ordinarily encountered in service, The fastener 1 is however readily turned to release position by the application of manual force as through a coin inserted in the slot in the head.

The spring washer 21 interposed between the base and the retainer member serves two purposes. Frequently, plates of a specied gauge or thick- The washer 21 accommodates such tolerances in plate thickness. In addition, during service, particularly on airplanes, fasteners of this kind are repeatedly shock loaded. The spring 21 acts as a cushion to absorb the shock and the fastener is not therefore subjected to repeated shock loading.

It will be observed that the locking spring elements23 and 24 are so related to the fastener that they are not affected by the load. Their only function is to hold the detents 25 and 25 in position to retain the fastener 1 in fastening position on the inclined surfaces I1 and I8. If the spring 21 should fail under repeated shock loading, it has no effect upon the locking action of the spring elements 23 and 24 and there is, therefore, no danger of the fastener loosening and separating.

Generally, a number of such fasteners are utilized to retain a cover plate or cowl in position. In most instances, the several holes in the cover plate 3 do not all accurately aline with the corresponding fastener holes in the rigidly secured plate 2. The float of the retainer, the ability to move a limited extent in all lateral directions, serves to accommodate any such misalinement. In additio-n, the provision of rigid inclined surfaces pro- `vides a rigid securing of the plates together in the manner, for example, of a nut and bolt.

It will be apparent that other resilient members might be used to replace the washer and, for example, resilient tongues might well be cut in the retainer 'element and extend therefrom towards the base. As the retainer member is preferably made from heat treatable steel and is heat treated such tongues would provide the desirable resiliency.V It will also be obvious that various other changes may be made by those skilled in the art in the details of the embodiments of the invention Ydisclosed in the drawing and described above within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the kind described comprising in combination a base adapted to be secured to one of two members to be fastened together, the base having an opening therethrough, a surface adjacent said opening, shiftable with respect thereto and inclined to the plane o-f vthe base, and a resilient element adjacent the inclined surface and spaced therefrom axially oi' the opening through the base, the resilient element being positioned to engage a member moved along the inclined surface.

2. A device of the kind described comprising in combination a base adapted to be secured to one of two members to b'e fastened together, the base having an opening therethrough, a member secured to the base yand having limited movement with respect thereto in all lateral directions, said member includingan inclined surface for engaging a fastener entered therein, and means for retaining a fastener engaged by the inclined sur- .face and in fastening position on. thenclined surface.l 1

3-. A device of the; kind described comprisinggin 4combinatien Va base adapted to beSeQllIed to one of two members tobefastened togethen the base having an opening therethrouglrto receive a fastener, and a member secured to the base andhaving limited movement with respect thereto in ,all

lateral directions, said member including aninclined fastener engaging su-rface for engaging a fastener entered therein and resilient members `overlapping the inclined surface for engaging an `element of a fastener riding on the inclined surface.

4. A device of the kind described comprising a base adapted to be secured toone of two members to be fastened together the base having an opening therethrough to receive a fastener, a member shifiably secured to the base, resilient means spacing the .member and the base axially of the opening through the base, the member including .a rigid inclined fastener engaging surface for engaginga fastener element entered in the device.

' 5. A device of the kind described comprising in combination a base adapted lto be secured to one `respect tothe fastener `engaging surface for rel taining a fastener engaged by the fastener engaging surface in' fastening position. y

6. A-device'of ythe kind described comp-risingin rcombinaticm a base adapted to be secured to one V.of two members to be fastened together, the base having-'an openingtherethrough toreceive a cooperating fastener ele-ment, 'a member shiftably secured to the base and includingvra, rigid fastener engaging surface arranged to cooperate with a fastener, and means `in cooperatingrelation with respect te the fastener engagingsurface vfor retaining a fastener engaged by the fastener. engaging surface in fastening position, land resilient t means engaging the member and the base.- v'

7. A device of the kind described y,corrnprising in combination a baseadapted to be securedtoone through` thebase, inclined, .helical surfaces adiacent the opening and spring sections arranged ,in juxtaposition withrespect to the inclined surffre. y

n IQ. A device ofthe kind described comprising .in combination abase adapted to be securedto Oneof two members to be fastened together, the base having an opening for a fastener, and a member securedto the base and having limited movement with respect thereto in all lateral directions, vthe-,member including a section arranged parallel .to the base havingan opening therethrough substantially alined lwith the opening through the baserinclined, helicalsurfaces adjacent the opening and spring sections arranged in juxtaposition with respect to the inclined surface, and resilient meansacting between the base and the member.

arotary v,operative fastener of the type comprising a rotary studformed with a radially extending arm and a socket member formedwith a. base shiftably attached to an apertured support and adapted to interlock with the stud arm upon turning movementof the latter, of an attaching member ,comprisingl a plate secured to said suppQrt, said plate being formed with opr.posedchannel-shaped guides loosely encompassing portions of said-socket member.

,1.2. ,In a rotary roperative fastener of the type comprising a ro-tarystud formed with a radially extending arm and a socket member formed `with a base* shiftably attached to anapertured sup- DOlt and adapted to interlock with the stud arm upon turning movement of the latter, of an attaching Amember comprising ar plate secured to said support, the sides of said plate intermediate ythe'fastening'attaching said plate to said sup- -port being. channelled for shiftably receiving a port and adapted, to interlock with the stud arm upon turning movement Vof the latter, of an attaching member comprising a platesecured to saidsupport, fthe sides of said plate intermediate of two members to be fastened. together, the base A havingan opening therethrough, a member secured to the base and having limited movement with respect thereto in all lateral directions, the member including a Vfastener engaging surface about the opening .through the base andresilient members-adjacent the fastener" engaging surface. v

8. A device of the kind described comprising in combination a base adapted to be secured to one of two members to be fastened together, the base having an opening'thcrethrough, a member secured to the base and having limited movement with respect thereto in all lateral directions, the member including a fastener engaging surface about the opening through rthe base and resilient members adjacent the fastener engaging surface, and resilient means engaging the member and the base. I

9. A device of the kind described comprising in combination a base adapted to be secured to one of two members to be fastened together, the

base having an opening for a fastener, and a i member secured to the base and having limited movement with respect thereto in all lateral directions. the member including a section arranged parallel to the base having 'anV` opening therethrough substantially alined with the opening .the .fastening attaching said plate to said supportv being channelled and presenting opposed guides forshiftably receiving a portion of said -socket member.

14. Ina rotaryoperative fastener of the type comprisingxa rotary stud formed with a radially extending .arm and a socket member formed with abase shiftably `attached to an apertured rsupport-and adapted to interlock with the studarm upon turning movement of the latter, of i an attaching member comprising a plate secured to said' support, and presenting opposed guides loosely embracing opposed portions of said socket member permitting lateral shifting of said socket base on said attaching plate.

15. In a rotary operative fastener of the type comprising a rotary stud formed with a radially -faii'agsro extending arm and Aa socket member formed with a base shiftably attached to an apertured support and adapted to interlock with the stud arm upon turning movement of the latter, of an attaching member comprising a platesecured to said support, and presenting opposed guides loosely embracing opposed sides of said socket member.

17. A socket fastener member for attachment to an apertured support comprising a stud-receiving socket having an elongated base formed with a stud-receiving aperture and a raised studengaging seat adjacent said aperture, the terminal end portions of said base being disposed in a plane spaced from the plane of said seat and constituting bearing sections, an attaching member for connecting said socket member to said support comprising an elongatediplate supporting said socket and having its terminal ends beyond said bearing sections Xedly attached to said support, said plate providing a supporting surface for said Vbearing portions and being formed with an intermediate aperture overlying said support aperture and transversely disposed loop means on said plate overlying said bearing portions, said socket member being bodily shiftable upon said attaching member.

18. In a rotary operative fastener of the type comprising a rotary stud formed With a radially extending arm and a socket member formed with a base shiftably attached to an apertured support and adapted to interlock with the stud arm upon turning movement of the latter, of an attaching member comprising a plate secured to said support, the sides of said plate intermediate the fastenings attaching said plate to said supportV being channelled and presenting opposed guides for shiftably receiving a portion of said socket member, and means for limiting shifting movement of said socket member in a direction at right angles to said guides;

19. In a rotary operative fastener of the type comprising a rotary stud formed With a radially extending arm and a socket member formed with a base shiftably attached to an apertured support and adapted to interlock with the studarrn upon turning movement of the'latter, of an attaching member comprising a plate secured to said sup-port, the sides'of said plate intermediate the fastenings attaching said plate to said support being channelled and presenting opposed guides for shiftably receiving a portion of said socket member, said plate'. being formed with spaced stop means for engaging sides of said base to limit shifting of the' socket member in a direction at right angles to said guides.

20. In a rotary operative fastener of the type comprising a, rotary stud formed with a radially extending arm and a socket member formed with aV base shiftably attached to an apertured support and adapted to interlock with the stud arm upon turning movement of the latter, of an attaching member comprising an apertured plate secured to said support, and presenting opposed guides loosely embracing opposed portions of said socket member permitting lateral shifting of said socket base over the aperture of said attaching plate, said plate being formed with spaced stop means for engaging sides of said base to limit shifting` of the socket member in a direction at right angles to said guides.

21. A fastener for use in securing together-an apertured support and a part to be attached thereto which is provided With a rotatably mounted stud, said fastener comprisinga studengaging fastener member for cooperative engagementI with the rotatable stud, retainer means adapted to be mounted on the support and supporting said stud-engaging fastener member and Y means on said retainer overlying a portion of said fastener member whereby lateral shifting of said-stud-engaging fastener member in a plurality of directions relative to the aperture of said support; may be effected. y

Y22. A fastener= for use in securing together an apertured support and a part to be attached thereto whichV is provided with a rotatably 'mounted stud, said fastener comprising a studengaging fastener member provided with spaced bearing portions and 'retainer means adapted to be mounted on the support and provided with a bearing surface for slidably engaging said bearing portionsof said fastener member, said reslidably on theV supporting structure in ya plane spaced from the said cam means, and means on said supporting structure overlying said bearing sections for loosely attaching said strip to said supporting structure, said strip being bodily shiftablenlaterally in `at least twodirections laterally relative toY said supporting structure.

RICHARD W. LUCE. 

